Vehicle seat frame structure and method of assembling a portion of a vehicle seat frame
A vehicle seat frame includes a first upper back frame member having at least one tab suitable for supporting to a dynamic head restraint system. The first upper back frame member has upper and lower mating surfaces suitable for attachment to upper and lower mating surfaces of a second upper back frame member operable to support a non-dynamic head restraint system.
Latest Lear Corporation Patents:
This invention relates in general to vehicle seat frame structures. Typically, seats for use in automotive vehicles vary in size, shape, style, and function for each particular vehicle platform. Typically, each different model of seat is manufactured with a unique frame structure provided for each vehicle platform. The size and shape of the frame structure generally conforms to the size, and shape of a particular seat model to be implemented in a particular vehicle. The style and function of the frame structure is generally determined by consumer desire for appearance and utility. Since each seat model is commonly manufactured with its own unique frame structure, the seat frame structure is generally manufactured for each model specific to the size, shape, style, and function of that particular model and portions of the seat frame structure are typically not interchangeable between different seat models as size, shape, style, and function are varied, regardless of vehicle platform or original equipment manufacturer.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates in general to a vehicle seat frame structures and more specifically to an improved seat frame structure for use in a vehicle and a method of assembling a portion of the seat frame.
The vehicle seat frame includes a first upper back frame member having at least one tab suitable for supporting a dynamic head restraint system. The first upper back frame member has upper and lower mating surfaces suitable for attachment to upper and lower mating surfaces of a second upper back frame member operable to support a non-dynamic head restraint system.
The method of assembling a portion of a vehicle seat frame includes the steps of: providing a first upper back frame member having at least one tab suitable for supporting a dynamic head restraint system, the upper back frame member having upper and lower mating surfaces and operable to support a non-dynamic head restraint system; providing one of a second upper back frame member operable to support a non-dynamic head restraint system and a third upper back frame member operable to support a dynamic head restraint system, the second and the third upper back frame members each including upper and lower mating surfaces suitable for attachment to the upper and lower mating surfaces of the first upper back frame member; positioning the one of the second and the third upper back frame members relative to the first upper back frame member, such that the mating surfaces of the one of the second and third upper back frame members are aligned relative to the mating surfaces of the first upper back frame member; and attaching the respective mating surfaces of the one of the first and the second upper back frame member to the mating surfaces of the third upper back frame member.
Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
Preliminarily, it must be noted that directional labels such as upper, lower, top bottom, above, below, over, and under are used with respect to the orientation of the figure under discussion on the page, and are not intended as limitations upon the orientation of the structure of the invention actual use.
Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in
The back frame 12 and the bottom frame 14 are attached to one another via a recliner 16. The recliner 16 can be any conventional recliner mechanism, such as manually or electrically operated, which selectively permits the back frame 12 to pivot relative to the bottom frame 14. The seat frame structure 10 further includes a seat adjuster 18 operatively mounted to the bottom frame 14. The adjuster 18 includes mounting structures 20 for securing the adjuster 18 to a floor or frame of a vehicle. The adjuster 18 includes two pairs of upper and lower tracks slidably disposed relative to one another. The upper tracks are mounted on the bottom frame 14, and the lower tracks are mounted on the vehicle floor via the mounting structures 20. The adjuster 18 can be any suitable conventional seat adjuster mechanism for permitting the seat frame structure 10 to move in a fore and aft direction relative to the vehicle floor. The adjuster 18 can also include a conventional lift mechanism 22 for permitting the front and rear portions of the bottom frame 14 to move in generally vertical directions relative to the adjuster 18 and floor of the vehicle. Alternatively, the seat back frame 12 could be pivotally connected to the recliner 16 instead of the bottom frame 14 to permit the lift mechanism 22 to move the bottom frame 14 independent of the back frame 12.
The seat back frame 12 generally includes a pair of generally vertical side members 12a. The lower portion of the side frame members 12a are attached together by a generally horizontally extending lower cross member 12b. The upper portions of the side members 12a are attached together by an upper back frame portion 13. The upper back frame portion 13 is suitable for attaching a headrest frame indicated generally at 15. As shown in
As best shown in
The first upper back frame member 24 has two support members or tabs 26. The tabs 26 preferably include slots, recesses, or apertures 27 formed therein, the reason for which will be explained below. The tabs 26 are suitable for supporting a dynamic head restraint system, e.g., a headrest that is suitable to pivot relative to the back frame 12. While the first upper back frame member 24 is shown with two tabs 26, it must be understood, however, that the first upper back frame member may have any suitable number of tabs. The first upper back frame member 24 has upper and lower mating surfaces 28 and 30. The upper and lower mating surfaces 28 and 30 are suitable for attachment to upper and lower mating surfaces of the second upper back frame member 32 operable to support a non-dynamic head restraint system, as will be further described below.
The second upper back frame member 32 is operable to support a non-dynamic head restraint system. The second upper back frame member 32 includes two upper guide holes 34 to provide guidance to support posts 15b of the head rest frame 15. The second upper back frame member 32 includes two lower guide holes 36 to provide guidance and/or a stop limit to the support posts 15b of the head rest frame 15. Generally, the guide holes provide lateral or horizontal support for the support posts 15b received therein. The second upper back frame member 32 includes upper and lower mating surfaces 38 and 40 suitable for attachment to the upper and lower mating surfaces 28 and 30 of the first upper back frame member 24. As can be seen from
Preferably the first upper back frame member 24 and the second upper back frame member 32 are formed from a stamped sheet of metal. However, it must be understood that the first upper back frame member 24 and the second upper back frame member 32 may be formed from any suitable material in any suitable manner.
The upper and lower mating surfaces 28, 30, 38, and 40 of the first and the second upper back frame members 24 and 32 are preferably flat planar surfaces. However, it must be understood that the mating surfaces may be any suitable surface for securing the first upper back frame member 24 and the second upper back frame member 32 relative to one another. Preferably, the first upper back frame member 24 and the second upper back frame member 32 are secured to one another by welding portions of the upper and lower mating surfaces 28, 30, 38 and 40 together by spot welding. However, it must be understood that the first upper back frame member 24 and the second upper back frame member 32 may be secured together in any suitable manner.
Now referring to
The upper back frame portion 43 includes the first upper back frame member 24, but essentially replaces the second upper back frame member 32 with a third upper back frame member 46. The third upper back frame member 46 is operable to support and/or permit operation of a dynamic head restraint system.
The third upper back frame member 46 includes two upper guide slots 48 to provide guidance to and allow pivotal rotation, horizontal movement, and/or vertical movement of support posts 15b′ of a dynamic head restraint system. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the guide slots 48 permit the support posts 15b′ to move from a normal generally vertical position to a pivoted position, indicated by phantom lines 15b″, such as upon activation of the dynamic head restraint system. The posts 15b′ are typically in the position shown in solid lines at 15b′ and move to the position in phantom, 15b″, upon activation of the dynamic head restraint system. The posts 15b′ move either vertically and/or horizontally, or in a rotational motion as guided by the tabs 26.
The tabs 26 and apertures 27 provide pivoting and/or sliding guiding structures for the movement of the guide posts 15b′. As shown in
The guidance structure 27′, as shown in
The third upper back frame member 46 includes two lower guide slots 50 to provide horizontal clearance and allow free movement of the support posts 15b′ of the dynamic head restraint system when the dynamic head rest is in movement. The third upper back frame member 46 includes upper and lower mating surfaces 52 and 54 suitable for attachment to the upper and lower mating surfaces 28 and 30 of the first upper back frame member 24.
Preferably the first upper back frame member 24 and the third upper back frame member 46 are formed from a stamped sheet of metal. However, it must be understood that the first upper back frame member 24 and the third upper back frame member 46 may be formed from any suitable material in any suitable manner.
The upper and lower mating surfaces 28, 30, 52, and 54 of the first and the third upper back frame members 24 and 46 are preferably flat planar surfaces. However, it must be understood that the mating surfaces may be any suitable surface for securing the first upper back frame member 24 and the third upper back frame member 46 relative to one another. Preferably, the first upper back frame member 24 and the third upper back frame member 46 are secured to one another by welding portions of the upper and lower mating surfaces 28, 30, 52 and 54 together by spot welding. However, it must be understood that the first upper back frame member 24 and the third upper back frame member 46 may be secured together in any suitable manner.
As stated above, the back frame 12 is adapted to receive different types of headrests/head restraint systems. Thus, different seat assemblies having different characteristics, such as non-dynamic or dynamic head restraint systems, can be formed using a common bottom frame 14, and by using either the second or third upper back frame member 32 or 46 to form the upper back frame portion 13 or 43 of the back frame 12. The back frame 12 can thus be adapted to receive different types of headrest/head restraint components such as by including or not including multiple features and mounting structures, such as holes and slot.
Referring now to
The present invention also contemplates a method of assembling a portion of a vehicle seat frame. In one embodiment the method includes the steps of: providing a first upper back frame member (formed from a stamped sheet) having at least one tab suitable for supporting a dynamic head restraint system, the first upper back frame member having upper and lower mating surfaces and operable to support a non-dynamic head restraint system; providing one of a second upper back frame member operable to support a non-dynamic head restraint system and a third upper back frame member operable to support a dynamic head restraint system, the one of the second and third upper back frame members (formed from a stamped sheet) and including upper and lower mating surfaces suitable for attachment to the upper and lower mating surfaces of the first upper back frame member, wherein the upper and lower mating surfaces of the first and the one of the second and the third upper back frame members are flat planar surfaces; positioning the one of the second and the third upper back frame members relative to the first upper back frame member, such that the mating surfaces of the one of the second and the third upper back frame members are aligned relative to the mating surfaces of the first upper back frame member; and attaching the respective mating surfaces of the one of the second and the third upper back frame member to the mating surfaces of the first upper back frame member, wherein the first upper back frame member and the one of the second and the third upper back frame members are preferably secured relative to one another by welding portions of the upper and lower mating surfaces of the first and the one of the second and the third upper back frame members together by spot welding.
While the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated with regards to particular embodiments, it must be understood, however, that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.
Claims
1. A method of assembling a portion of a vehicle seat frame comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a first upper back frame member having at least one tab suitable for supporting a dynamic head restraint system, the upper back frame member having upper and lower mating surfaces and operable to support a non-dynamic head restraint system;
- b. providing one of a second upper back frame member operable to support a non-dynamic head restraint system and a third upper back frame member operable to support a dynamic head restraint system, the one of the second and third upper back frame members including upper and lower mating surfaces suitable for attachment to the upper and lower mating surfaces of the first upper back frame member;
- c. positioning the one of the second and the third upper back frame members relative to the first upper back frame member, such that the mating surfaces of the one of the second and the third upper back frame members are aligned relative to the mating surfaces of the first upper back frame member; and
- d. attaching the respective mating surfaces of the one of the second and the third upper back frame member to the mating surfaces of the first upper back frame member.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the upper and lower mating surfaces of the first and the one of the second and the third upper back frame members are flat planar surfaces.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of securing the first upper back frame member and the one of the second and the third upper back frame members are relative to one another.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the first upper back frame member and the one of the second and the third upper back frame members are secured relative to one another by welding portions of the upper and lower mating surfaces of the first and the one of the second and the third upper back frame members together.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the portions of the upper and lower mating surfaces of the first and the one of the second and the third upper back frame members are welded together by spot welding.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of forming the first upper back frame member from a stamped sheet.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of forming the one of the second and the third upper back frame members from a stamped sheet.
8. A method of assembling a seat frame structure comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a portion of a seat frame structure including a seat back frame, a seat bottom frame, and a first upper back frame member;
- b. providing a second upper back frame member that is operable to support a non-dynamic head restraint system;
- c. providing a third upper back frame member that is operable to support a dynamic head restraint system;
- d. selecting one of the second upper back frame member and the third upper back frame member that corresponds to a desired configuration for the seat frame structure; and
- e. securing the selected one of the second upper back frame member and the third upper back frame member to the first upper back frame member to provide a seat frame structure.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein step (a) is performed by providing the first upper back frame member with a tab that is suitable for supporting a dynamic head restraint system.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein step (a) is performed by providing the first upper back frame member with a pair of tabs that is suitable for supporting a dynamic head restraint system.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein step (a) is performed by providing the first upper back frame member with upper and lower mating surfaces, and wherein step (e) is performed by securing the selected one of the second upper back frame member and the third upper back frame member to the upper and lower mating surfaces of the first upper back frame member.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein step (a) is performed by providing the first upper back frame member with upper and lower mating surfaces, step (b) is performed by providing the second upper back frame member with upper and lower mating surfaces, step (c) is performed by providing the third upper back frame member with upper and lower mating surfaces, and step (e) is performed by securing the upper and lower mating surfaces of the selected one of the second upper back frame member and the third upper back frame member respectively to the upper and lower mating surfaces of the first upper back frame member.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the upper and lower mating surfaces of the first, second, and third upper back frame members are flat and planar in shape.
14. The method of claim 8 wherein the first, second, and third upper back frame members are each formed by stamping.
1237956 | August 1917 | Pue |
2647791 | August 1953 | Barenyi |
3446526 | May 1969 | Peters |
3632157 | January 1972 | Lohr |
3669498 | June 1972 | Meyers et al. |
3702204 | November 1972 | Tipton et al. |
3727977 | April 1973 | Gmeiner |
3799577 | March 1974 | Colucci |
3861747 | January 1975 | Diamond |
3896531 | July 1975 | Gorman |
3983640 | October 5, 1976 | Cardullo et al. |
4036527 | July 19, 1977 | Faul |
4124251 | November 7, 1978 | Petersen |
4127301 | November 28, 1978 | Syrowik |
4198091 | April 15, 1980 | Appleton |
4305616 | December 15, 1981 | Martinez |
4443034 | April 17, 1984 | Beggs |
4479675 | October 30, 1984 | Zankl |
4509796 | April 9, 1985 | Takagi |
4524762 | June 25, 1985 | Schulman |
4526421 | July 2, 1985 | Brennan et al. |
4585273 | April 29, 1986 | Higgs et al. |
4595238 | June 17, 1986 | Goldner |
4601517 | July 22, 1986 | Heesch |
4602817 | July 29, 1986 | Raftery |
4681367 | July 21, 1987 | Timmers |
4746168 | May 24, 1988 | Bracesco |
4875736 | October 24, 1989 | Brambilla |
4881702 | November 21, 1989 | Slettebak |
4900085 | February 13, 1990 | Tobler |
4932720 | June 12, 1990 | Sherman |
4973105 | November 27, 1990 | Itou |
5007682 | April 16, 1991 | Kuwabara et al. |
5011208 | April 30, 1991 | Lewallen |
5171054 | December 15, 1992 | Wilson |
5286084 | February 15, 1994 | Bart |
5288122 | February 22, 1994 | Pilhall |
5301914 | April 12, 1994 | Yoshida et al. |
5310154 | May 10, 1994 | Ueda et al. |
5358307 | October 25, 1994 | Shafer et al. |
5366270 | November 22, 1994 | Heussner et al. |
5385384 | January 31, 1995 | Gierman et al. |
5397170 | March 14, 1995 | Shrock |
5439271 | August 8, 1995 | Ryan |
5443239 | August 22, 1995 | Laporte |
5464273 | November 7, 1995 | Makoto |
5468050 | November 21, 1995 | Hall et al. |
5472165 | December 5, 1995 | Gruber |
5485976 | January 23, 1996 | Creed et al. |
5492361 | February 20, 1996 | Kim |
5509722 | April 23, 1996 | Beroth |
5529376 | June 25, 1996 | Jovan et al. |
5547259 | August 20, 1996 | Fredrick |
5568959 | October 29, 1996 | Weber et al. |
5570930 | November 5, 1996 | LaPointe et al. |
5575533 | November 19, 1996 | Glance |
5607204 | March 4, 1997 | Gryp |
5609395 | March 11, 1997 | Burch |
5626396 | May 6, 1997 | Kuragano et al. |
5775780 | July 7, 1998 | Murphy et al. |
6375262 | April 23, 2002 | Watanabe |
6783177 | August 31, 2004 | Nakano |
6789845 | September 14, 2004 | Farquhar et al. |
6955397 | October 18, 2005 | Humer |
7044544 | May 16, 2006 | Humer et al. |
7066552 | June 27, 2006 | Yoshida |
7104602 | September 12, 2006 | Humer et al. |
7237838 | July 3, 2007 | Hoffmeister et al. |
20040113481 | June 17, 2004 | Saberan |
2605952 | August 1977 | DE |
308374 | March 1989 | EP |
1 211 129 | June 2002 | EP |
1 134 115 | March 2003 | EP |
2698832 | June 1994 | FR |
2 297 687 | August 1996 | GB |
2 419 284 | April 2006 | GB |
0205238 | December 1982 | JP |
2000 12782305 | May 2000 | JP |
97/19727 | June 1997 | WO |
Type: Grant
Filed: Jun 7, 2005
Date of Patent: Sep 1, 2009
Patent Publication Number: 20060273649
Assignee: Lear Corporation (Southfield, MI)
Inventor: Mohammad Saberan (New Baltimore, MI)
Primary Examiner: Laurie K Cranmer
Attorney: MacMillan, Sobanski & Todd, LLC
Application Number: 11/146,795
International Classification: A47C 7/02 (20060101);